The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Akali, highlighted the crucial role of transportation in Nigeria’s economic growth and stability during a visit by Dr. Toks Omishekin, California State Transportation Secretary, to Abuja over the weekend.
Akali emphasized that the Nigerian government recognizes transportation as a key sector for national development, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and raw materials, as well as contributing significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Welcoming Dr. Omishekin, Akali noted the longstanding Nigeria-U.S. relationship since 1960 and the support the United States has provided to Nigeria in areas such as democratic governance, security, and foreign direct investment.
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The minister pointed out that Nigeria’s population of about 250 million people spread across over 900,000 km² underscores the importance of a robust transportation infrastructure for national progress.
Akali further discussed the Nigerian government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies transportation as a Presidential priority aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life.
He also acknowledged the California State delegation’s visit to explore collaboration on transportation and climate change initiatives, particularly in preparation for a Climate and Trade Delegation to Africa scheduled for the summer of 2025.
The Minister also addressed the climate change challenges, noting that transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, accounting for around 15% of emissions due to fossil fuel use.
He outlined Nigeria’s efforts to combat these effects, such as acquiring hybrid and CNG buses, collaborating with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and promoting the Green Bond initiative to transition to cleaner transportation solutions.
Dr. Omishekin’s delegation visited key transportation development partners in Nigeria, including the unveiling of a CNG conversion center in Abuja by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), signaling a potential collaboration between Nigeria, California, and the broader African continent on sustainable transportation initiatives.
